Borghese Gallery Free Guide

Your visit to the Borghese Gallery begins with a visit to Villa Borghese which is a substantial green space and the third-largest public park in Rome. Its enormous greenery, is a tiny fraction of Rome, but even that is a whopping 200 acres! At one tiny corner of this villa and the far end of a grand boulevard, filled on either side with sprawling greenery, biking teenagers, citrus trees, playful children, and picnicking families, is a small but pretty building that is the unlikely home to some of the most precious Baroque sculptures in the world. This gem is the Borghese Gallery, an island of serenity immune to the incessant chaotic traffic of the eternal city.

The gallery is notoriously small, and the timed tickets sell out quickly so consider booking 2-3 weeks in advance. Be also prepared to climb a long flight of stairs to reach the viewing galleries as there are no lifts. The path through the galleries goes around so you will find yourself back where you started. At times the crowds can deny you a good view but keep moving and you will revisit the same spot. Also be aware that some paintings are located high up on the walls, and some very famous works are actually up on the ceiling so keep your eyes up!

The most famous sculptures by Bernini are dispersed across the museum to prevent overcrowding. The first one you will generally see on entry is the Rape of Persephone by Hades - where the bewildered maiden is being bundled away by the god of the underworld. The next one is the forceful sculpture of David taking aim at Goliath with a slingshot held taut in his muscular arms. His strong position and fiery gaze intimidate visitors into leaving the room with a sense of immediacy! In the next room, Bernini frees Daphne and freezes the maiden in the middle of her transformation into a laurel tree. The last sculpture by Bernini shows Aeneas fleeing a burning Troy carrying his aged father Anchises and his young son close on his heels. Bernini had a prodigious career but it is extremely rare to see more than one Bernini sculpture in the same museum. Therefore to have several of these under the same roof is what makes the gallery unique and worth the visit. There are also very important paintings by Correggio, Titian, Caravaggio and Raphael that you may not want to miss on this trip. Savour your visit to one of the most exclusive private collections in the world with the app that is even used by real tour guides! While you enjoy the app and the gallery don't forget your headphones and in every room look up and enjoy a nice 360-degree view!